Early voting in Russia's presidential election started Friday in the country's Far East region, local media reported.

Chukotka residents, including reindeer herders, scientists, border guards, employees of gold mining companies are among the first to cast their ballots, local government sources said.

The early voting is being conducted in remote areas in Russia, offering people working at polar stations, beacons, and on vessels that will be at sea on the voting day an early chance to exercise their right to vote.

The early voting runs until March 3, the so-called "Day of Silence" before the election day on March 4.

It covers a relatively small number of voters: 1,662 in Chukotka, about 7,300 in Kamchatka Krai, and about 2,500 in Khabarovsky Krai.